Polk considering $250K in plant needs, including access road

MILL SPRING — Polk County leaders are faced with approximately $250,000 in needs at its wastewater treatment plant that serves Polk County Middle School and the department of social services.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday and heard from engineer David Odom about the needs.

“We have had some challenges at the wastewater treatment plant at Woodland Mills the past two years,” Odom said. “The plant is definitely getting older. It’s time to put some investments in it.”

Odom said he has gotten some notices from the state and discussed the need for an equalization basin, which is estimated to cost $150,000.

“The second phase of the project is an access road,” Odom said.

The estimated cost of the access road is $100,000.

When Polk County constructed the middle school off Wolverine Trail in Mill Spring, it also purchased the wastewater treatment plant that used to serve Woodland Mills, which shut down. The access road would be constructed from Wolverine Trail near the tennis courts to the plant.

Odom said what the county needs to do now is submit a permit to the state. He said he does recommend the county do both of the needed actions.

County Manager Marche Pittman suggested commissioners give him authority to sign the permit to start the process.

Once the permit is approved, the county can go out to bid on the two projects.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson asked if the wastewater treatment plant has capacity to add users. Odom said the plant currently processes 4,000-6,000 gallons per day and the capacity is 30,000 gallons per day.

Pittman said if Woodland Mills ever comes back online, the county may not have any extra capacity.

The projects slated will fix current issues at the plant, but will not increase the capacity, Odom said.

Commissioners approved applying for the necessary permits to begin the projects.